stevens



April 19.1927.

H. D. STEVENS FLAP CUTTING AND MEASURING MACHINE Filed Ot. 6, 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 u@ .ma wm. Wm MN Qm. N ma attoneq April H., D. STEVENS FLAP CUTTING AND MEASURING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 H. D. STEVENS FLAP CUTTING AND NEASURING MACHINE April v19, 1927.

Filed ot. ef 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 4 Inde/Mi SZLaJe/m. Q T)- Q63@ 1,625,403 April 19, 1927..y H. D. STEVENS FLA? CUTTING AND MEASURING MACHINE Filed 0G11. 6, 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4,

1,625,40 April 19, 1927. H. D. STEVENS 3 FLA? ACUI'TING AND MEASURING MACHINE Filed Oct. 6, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheetl 5 April 19, 1927.

H. D. STEVENS FLAP CUTTING AND WIEASURINGl MACHINE Filed l061:. 6, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 April. 19, 1927.

H. D; STEVENS FLAP CITTING AND MEASURING MACHINE Filed oct. e, 1922 Patented Apr. 19 1927.

UNlTEl) STA'lhS ATET FFltE.

HORACE D. STEVENS, OF AKRON, GHIO, ASSIG-NOR T0 THE FIRESTONE TIRE .AND RUB- BER CGMPANY, OF AKRON, OHG, .A COREORATON OF OI-IO.

FLAI CUTTING AND MEASURING MACHINE.

Application filed October 6, 1922. Serial No. 592,777.

My invention .relates to machines 'tor cutting and l'neasuring flaps ot the character used in conjunction with pneumatic tire casings.

Tire flaps, oli' the type which my machin-e is particularly designed to produce, comprise a length ot' rubber impregnated fabric having rounded ends which are designed to overlap when the flap is positioned Within the tire casing. (lne end ot the Hap is provided with a circular aperture to receive the valve stem ot the inner tube and the other end thereof is slotted longitudinally to also receive the valve stem of the tube and to allow for a certain degree oit play of one end upon the other. These 'flaps are preferably constructed ivlitli a permanent curvature, both longitudinal. and transverse, so that they readily conform to the shape oit the inner tube ot a tire. Une method ot producing liaps having these curvatures is to cut them trom a continuous strip that has been vulcani'fzed, in a` convolute coil, upon a drum having ya concave iiieriphery, whereby the st 'p is cupped traiisversely and at the time the convolutions thereo'l are given a peru'ianent circular' contour. Heretotore, so Atar as l am aware, these strips have been measured and out into flap lengths by hand. but because of their permanent curvature, it is prai'ztically impossible to straighten out such strips in order to accurately measure and cut them. ln tact, tire n'ianutacturers have, in seine instances, been obliged to dis* continue 'viilcanizing flap material into the torni described and to vulcanize it in the torni oit a liat strip so that it could be handled. rllhe disadvantages arising` from this contingency will be readily appreciated when it is understood thatthe method ot forming 'liep material by vulcanizing it into its ultimate curvature upon a drum is recognized as more economical. quicker, requires fewer operatives, and produces the ideal flap.

l.With the foregoing in mind, my invention is des eined with the partcular purpose in View ot providing a practical machine 'for e: 'Mlitiousl",7 cutting a preformed strip ot the character above set forth into flap lengths and forming the apertures in the ends thereof.

It is also the purpose oi: my invention to provide a machine tor performing the above function and at the saine time *measuring the strip into uniform lengths. o

Other objects ot' my invention are to provide a machine Which will feed the `strip from the drum upon which it has been vul.- canized, to cutting,- and measuring devices Without tensioning the strip, and which Vwill automatically maintain a uniform degree of slack in the strip whereby no stretching action occurs therein during the cuttinguand measuring operation.

Still another object ot my invention is to provide measiiring devices which are ad pted to maintain the same degree of transverse curvature of the strip While it is being measured and to feed equal lengths o' material which may ditller in degrees oi vulcaiiization.

A further object of my invention to provide a. machine adapted to simultaneously cut the strip so as to round ott the ends oit' tivo liap lengths and provide the desired 'form of apertures therein.

Still another objiect ot my invention is to provide, in a machine of the cliara ,ter. a 'feeding mechanism, the spe-ed of which is controlled y the travel ot the strip and the degree of slack in said strip.

@ther objects and advantages will presently appear as thisdescription proceed is read in conjunrtioi'i with the drawi companying,l and forming a part ot this specification.

ln said drawings:

liigure l is a side elevational vier.' illus trating one form ot machine constructed in accordance vf'ith my invention; y

Figure 2 is a side elevational vieiv, on an enlarged scale, illustrating the cutti and measuringl mechanism of the machine;

Figure 3 is a side elevational view, partly in section, illustrating, on an enlarged scale. a portion oli' the machin-e shown in Figure iigure 4 is a vertical sectional vieiv on the irregular line 4 4: of Figure 3, parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional vieiv on the line 6 6 ol' Figure "I, showing a die head view illustratingI the strip is severed and the cu ng mechanism of my invention, 2 the measuring mechanism, and 3 the feeding' mechanism.

lhe cntti inechanisin 1, to which the strip is fed in a n'ianner presently set forth, will iis be described. in. detail. lt comprises a pair of vertical standards f1- arranged in spaced relation and carrying` upon their upper ends a frame 5 that is formed of spaced uprights 6 and svc se top and bottom designated respectively 7 and S. A transversely disposed main drive shaft 9 is journaled in suit-able bearings 10 in the '1 l upper end of the u'prights G. One end of the shaft 9 projects beyond one of the uprights and carries a freely rotatable drive wheel 11. The. periphery of the wheel 10 is provided with a gear portion 12 and its inne-r face is formed to provide a clutch flange 13. The Wheel 11 is driven by a motor 14E having a dii'iving` pinion 15 that meshes with the portion 12. The motor is preferably secured upon the cross bar 7 of the frame 5, as shown in Figure 4, and serves to continuously drive the wheel 11. The cluch iiange 1B of the wheel 11 is engaged by a one revolution clutch element 1G that is lined upon the shaft 9 whereby a single revolution of the shaft 9 may be effected by 'the operator when desired. Any suitable form of clutch element may be utilized, this feature forming, per se, no part ot the present invention. In the present in vince, l have illustrated, generally a 'torni of clutch element 16 which is adapted to be held in disengaging position relative to the collar 13 by one end of a lever 17 that is pivoted at its other end to the frame 5 and is movable into and from en gagement with said element. The eluteli element 16 and the lever 17 are so constructed and arranged that when the lever is moved from engrg'fagement with the element 16, the element will clutch the wheel 11 and rotate the shaft 9 and when it engages the element, said element is held in disengaged position. The lever 17 is moved from en fr rement with the element 13 by a pull rod 18`and a treadle 19 that is arranged to be 21 returns the rocker arm 2O and pull rods i8 and 1t" to their original positions, engages the band 22 with the drum to brake the shaft and also moves the lever 17 to diien fe the eieinent 1G from the clutch collar 1o.

Intermediate the uprights G of the frame 5, the shaft 9 carries an eccentric 211V. A stra-p 25 surrounds the eccentric and is connected to a cross head 26. The cross head Q6 is guided between the uprights 6 of the frame 5 to reciprocate vertically over a platen Q7 of any suitable construction.

The strip of flap material A is fed beneath the cross head 26 and over the platen 27 in a manner presently apparent.

Upon the lower face of the cross head 26 a plurality of removable dies are arranged as follows: Centrally of the cross head there are two substantially semi-circular dies 2S that are reversely arranged to sever the strip and round ofiI the severed ends thereof iii reverse directions, as at 29. see Figure 11. A circular die 30 is arranged to one side of the dies 28, in position relative thereto to out a circular aperture 31 in one end of the severed strip. A third die is disposed upon the opposite side of the dies 28 in position to eut an elongated aperture or slot :53 in the opposite end of the strip. A single revolution of the shaft 9, effected in the manner previously described, impresses the die upon the strip A and withdraws it to idle position. The arrangement of dies described, it will be noted, severs the strip to cut and aperture one end of two flaps and as the freed of the strip progresses the opposite end of one iap is cut while the forward end of another flap is beingI similarly treated.

The measuring` devices are constructed amdarranged as follows:

A rotary shaft 34 is journaled at its ents transversely of the standards 4l and in brackets 35 that project rearwardly from the standards. Intermediate its ends and centrally of the cross head 26 and the platen 27, the shaft Se is provided with a strip engaging wheel 536 that is iixed thereon. Beneath the shaft-3s and somewhat in front thereof, a second rotary shaft 37 is journaled at its ends in a pair of vertically movable arms 38. The shaft 37 carries a second strip engaging wheel 39 tixed thereon in the plane of the wheel lWheels 36 and 39 have concave pei'ipheries and their edges are provided with radial teeth 36 ot the character shown in Figure 10. These wheels are designed to grip the strip A between their peripheries to move it beneath the cross head and they are therefore geared together for positive rotation in opposite directions by gear wheels 40 and 4l affixed respectively upon the shafts 34 and 37. A slotted table 42 of curvilinear form is disposed adjacent the wheels 36 and 39 and provided with guides 43 that are adjustable laterally of each other by means of set screws 44 to center the strip A relative to said wheels.

The table is constructed on the radius of a circle corresponding substantially to the curve of the convolutions of the strip A so that the strip may be fed thereover without straightening it out longitudinally. In other words, the strip is guided in its passage through the wheels 36 and 39 in an arcuate path corresponding to its permanent longitudinal curvature. If desired, another guide 45, preferably `t/-shaped in cross-secn tion, may be utilized in front of the platen 27 to hold the free end of the strip A in proper alignment relative to the crosshead 26.

The wheels 36 and 39 are driven to rot-ate them a certain cycle of movement, whereupon their rotation is'automatically stopped and the cross-head may be rendered active to sever the strip. This action of the wheels 36 and 39 feeds uniform flap lengths beneath the cross head 26 and the driving mechanism for the wheels is constructed so that different flap lengths may be fed and cnt, all of which will presently appear.

At this point, however, attention is directed to a peculiar function of the wheels 36 and 39. Flap material that is vulcanized upon a concave drum presents different cross-sectional curvatures. The innermost convolutions usually cure in conformity with the transverse curvature of the drum but the succesive convolutions tend to flatten out transversely on a longer radius. Furthermore. the convolutions are cured to difterent degrees of hardness, the inner and outermost convolutions being cured harder than the intermediate convolutions. In order to accurately measure uniform lengths from a reel of flap material under these conditions, I provide the concave toothed wheels and mount one wheel, preferably the under one, for adjustment toward and away from the other. Such an arrangement is shown in the drawings, wherein wheel 39 and the arms 33 are mounted to swing upon a rod 46 that extends parallel with the shafts 34 and 37. The rod 46 carries a depending arm 47 that is loose thereon and is provided with a toothed projection 47 at its free end that engages a rack 43 on the under side of a weighted lever 49. The lever 49 has one of its ends fixed upon a rock shaft 49 that is journaled in the brackets 35 beneath the shaft 37. A pair of cam sectors 49n are affixed upon the shaft- 49 in position to engage opposite ends of the shaft 37. By moving the lever 49 to disengage the tooth 47 from the rack 48 of said lever, the shaft 49 and cam sectors 49a may be rocked to raise or lower the shaft 37 and move the wheel 39 relative to the periphery of wheel 36. Through this adjustment the teeth 36 of the wheels 36 and 39 may always be caused to penetrate the strip A to the same depth regardless of its degree of hardness and thus the same effective periphery of the feeding wheels` is maintained. Wheels 36 and 39 also tend to compress and flatten the strip out transversely to such a degree that it always presents substantially the same transverse curvature during its passage between said wheels. Inasmuch as it is not feasible to straighten such a strip longitudinally and it must therefore be measured in its curved form, the tooth rollers-must al ways grip the strip at the same distance from its center line; otherwise, because. of the variations in transverse curvature of the strip, unequal lengths will be pulled through thc wheels 36 and 39. I avoid this contingency as it is believed will be apparent without further explanation by comprising the strip to flatten it in the manner above described. Some of the convolutions of the strip cure with a longitudinal central rib. To accommodate this formation the wheels 36 and 39 are concaved as shown.

The means for .driving the wheels 36 and 39, and forming therewith the measuring component` of the machine will now be described. Upon one end of the shaft 34 a gear wheel 50 is mounted to rotate freely thereon and to mesh with a smaller idler gear 5l that is suitably journaled upon one of the brackets 35. rihe idler gear 5l is driven by a clutch device 52, the driving elcinent of which con'iprises a gear wheed 53 that is freely rotatable upon one end of a rotary shaft and slidable longitudiinidly thereof. Shaft 54 is journaled in the bracle ets 35 in the rear Iof shaft 34 and parallel therewith. Gear wheel 53 is constantly rotated by a driving pinion 55 that meshes therewith and is driven in turn by a sprocket and chain connection 56 that extends to a stud shaft 57. The stud shaft 57 is journaled for rotation adjacent the wheel ll and carries a gear wheel 53 fast thereon and in mesh with the teeth l2 of the wheel ll. A pair of opposed clutch discs 59 and 59 are carried upon one end of the shaft 54 in position to clamp the wheel 53 therebetween. Each disc is keyed to the shaft 54, the former being slidable longitudinally thereon1 whereas the latter disc is stationary relative to said shaft. The stationary disc carries a gear pinion 59 that meshes with the idler 51. The slidable disc is adapted to be lOl) .apex to one of the brackets 35.

moved against the wheel 53 to clamp it against the stationair-ry disc by means of a rocking V-shaped lever pivoted at its One arm (il of the lever GO is wedge shaped and is adapted t-o rock across the axis of the vShaft 5l between au adjustable abutment 62 and the hub (i2-3 of the slidablc disc 59 to force the latter element against the wheel 53 and the stationary disc 59. By this means motion is impart-ed to the shaft 54E and the stationary disc 59. rl`he shaft 59 in turn rotates a gear wheel G3 fast on the other end thereof which meshes, with au idler gear (til that is also in mesh with a rear 65 lined upon Vthe adjacent end of the shaft let, whereby vthe latter shaft is driven to rotate the wheel 39 and, through the medium of' the gears l0 and ll, the wheel 39. The idler 64 is jour-` naled in an adjustable bracket 66 wherel y other gears may be substituted in place of the gears (i3 and 65 and the ratio of speed ol' the wheels 36 and 39 changed relative to the speed of rotation of the shaft 5l. Thus longer or shorter iaps may be measured and cut by the simple expedient of substituting diiqerent gears for the gears 63 and G5. The stationary disc 59 drives 'the idler 5l and the njcur 50 upon the shaft 3l Gear 59 carries a disc 67 having a notch (38 in its periphery. The other arm 69 of the lever GO is adapted to drop into this notch 68 whereupon the lever' is rocked to move its arm 6l from he tween the abutment (32 and hub G3 of the disc 69, and the wheel 53 will be thereby released and rotation of the shaft 54 stopped upon one revolution of the wheel 50. A transverse control shaft 70 is journaled in the brackets to be rocked by a hand lever 7l at one end thereof. rlhe opposite end of the shaft carries an upstanding linger 72. l* link 73 connects the linger 7 2 with the arm 59 of the rocking` lever (S0 so that when the shaft 7 O is rocked in one direction the arm (39 is released from the notch 68 and the arm (5l is moved to render the clutch element 52 active. A retractil@ spring` 74 serves to normally pull the shaft 7() in the opposite direction to engi e the arm 69 with the notch (38.

'lf he feeding;` mechanism 3 of my invention is arranged in the rear of the measuringl and the cutting mechanism to feed the strip from a drum upon which it has been cured. lt embodies a support 75 adapted to support a curing drum 76 for free rotation thereon in .substantially the plane of rotation of the wheels 96 and 89. in upwardlybowed table 77 is arranged in front of the support 75 and in the plane of the drum 76. A pair Of oppositely disposed uprights 78 support the table 77 atthe rear end thereof and a pair of similar but short-er uprights 79 support the front end of the table. etwcen the uprights 78 the rear end of anarm 80 is pivot-ed so that said arm may swing` vertically above the table 77. At its forward or free end,v the arm is provided with a toothed wheel 8l, similar to wheels and :39, that is adapted to rotate in the plane of the drum 76. A second wheel 82 oit` the same construction is mounted beneath the wheel 81 to rotate in the same plane. Villieelg 8l and are adapted to pull the strip rfi from the lrum 7o' over the table 77 and beneath a centering' guide 88. rlhe wheel is lined upon a cross shaft 8a that entends transversely of jihe table and is journaled at one end in the upiights 79. lllheelg. 8l and 82 are geared together for positive rotation in opposite directions, one of the gears being` shown at 85. U pon J:he end of the shalll ttf-l opposite the journaled end thereof, one member 86 of a clutch device is mounted. It complemental clutch element 87 is slidably mounted upon one end of the driviinl` sliaf 88 of a saeed reduction device 89, the shaft of the device 89 beingl aligned with the shaft Sil. rlhe driven shaft 9() of the speed reduction device is coupled to the shall o f a suitable motor designated. 9i. l'huallel with the shaft 88 of the speed reduction device a rocker arm 92 having` a laterally projecting; pivot post 92 jonrnaled in a support 99. The pivot post of the rocker arm 92 is l'ixed relative thereto and extends over the shaft 88 and carries a forked arm 93 that engages the clutch element 87 to .slide it on the shaft 88 into and out of engagement relative to the clutch element 86.

The core 9-l of a solenoid coil 95 normally` holds one end of the arm 92 in a depressed position and in this position of the arm the forked arm 93 is arranged to engage the clutch member 87 with the member 8G. lVhen the coil 95 is cle-energized in a manner presently explained, a coil spring` 95 at the opposite end of the rocker arm V92 rocks it upon its standard 93 whereby the arm 93 is moved to disengage the clutch element 87 from the element 86.

A pivoted switch arm 9G. havingl at its free end a horizontally disposed roller 97, arranged in front of the table 77 to swing in a vertical plane and to engage a series of contacts 98. Contacts 98 and the switch 99 are arranged in any suitable manner, in a system of circuits including the motor 91 and a sour e of energy so that when the switch 96 is raised the speed of the motor is accelerated and when the switch is depressed its speed is retarded. The solenoid 95 is also arranged in circuit with the switch element 9G and the contacts 98 in such manner that when the switch drops below the contacts the solenoid is cut olf and the clutch element 87 disengaged from the element 86 through the action of the coil spring 95.

No system of circuits has been illustrated herein as the arrangement thereof may be varied and any suitable construction may be resorted to within the spirit of my invention.

The il'eed mechanism operates as follows: The end of the strip is pulled from the drum over the table and between the peripheries ot the wheels 8l and 82 to the measuring rollers 36 and 39. The strip is arranged with su'l'licient slack therein between the feeding mechanism and the measuring devices so that no tension is exerted against the pull ot the measuring devices. The bight ot the slack is passed under the roller 97 ot the switch 96 and the mechanism is started. As long as the slack is maintained the roller 97 and switch 96 remain stationary. Should the degree ot slaclr in the strip vary in either direction., to a` certain degree, the switch 96 is raised or lowered by the strip to engage ditl'erent contacts in the series 88, whereby the speed oit the motor is slowed or accelerated, the wheel 82 correspondingly affected and the feed ot the strip varied to take up the slack in the strip or to increase it. cShould the slack through any contingency suddenly become so great as to permit the roller 97 and the switch to tall below the contacts 98, the solenoid will become decnergized and the feed ot the strip stopped until the slack has been taken up by the measuring devices 2 suthciently to raise the roller 97 into engagement with one ot the contacts 98.

Although l have described my invention in detail, together with its operation upon a certain term ot flap material, it is to be understood that it may be utilized to cutother toi-ms ofi flap material and in other capacities. Furthermore, it is susceptible of a wide range ot modiiication as regards the construction and arrangement of its several parts, all within the spirit of the invention and the scope ot the appended claims.

llVhat I claim is: i

l. Mechanism for forming tire flaps from strip material comprising, means for cutting the strip, means tor measuring the strip before it is cut, and means for feeding the strip with a slack therein to the measuring means said feeding means being adapted to vary the speed at which the strip is fed in accordance with the degree of slack in said strip.

2. Mechanism for forming tire flaps trom strip material" comprising, means for severing the strip, means tor measuring the strip, and means for Ateeding the strip to the measuring means comprising speed control de vices adapted to vary the speed at which the strip is ted through engagement with said strip.

3. Mechanism tor forming tire flaps from strip material connprising, means for cutting the strip, means for measuring the strip betore it is cut, drive mechanism normally disconnected from both of said means, means for connecting either ot said means with the drive mechanism to render them` active, and devices tor automatically disconnecting the measuring means trom the driving means@ 4;. Mechanism 'for forming tire flaps t'rom strip material comprising, driven means for severing the strip and simultaneously peritorating the severed ends thereof, driven means tor measuring the strip before it is severed, drive mechanism normally disconnected from both said means, means for connecting either ot said devices with drive mechanism to render them active, and devices or automatically disconnecting the measuring means from said driving means.

5. Mechanism tor `forming tire llaps 'from strip material comprising, means tor severing the strip, driven means for measuring the strip, drive mechanism normally disconnected trom the n'ieasuring means, devices tor connecting the measuring means with the drive mechanism, and devices for automatically disconnecting the measuring` means trom the` drive mechanism.

G. Mechanism tor forming tire flaps from strip material comprising, means operable to sever the strip, means operable to measure the strip, drive mechanism common to both said means normally disconnected therefrom, individual devices tor each said means operable to connect them with the drive mechanism, and means tor automatically disconnecting the measuring means from said drive mechanism after it has completed its cycle oit operation.

7. Mechanism for forming tire flaps from strip material comprising, driven means tor severing the strip, rotary means for measuring the strip, drive mechanism common to both said means normally disconnected from the measuring means, devices for connecting the measuring means with the drivel mechanism, means for varying the ratio of speed of the measuring means relative to that ot the driving mechanism, and automatically operating means for disconnecting the measuring means trom the driving mechanism.

8. Mechanism for forming tire aps from strip material comprising, reciprocable cutter devices tor severing the strip, rotary measuring devices for determining the length of the strip to be severed, driving mechanism common to said devices, clutch mechanism operable to connect the cutter devices with said mechanism, clutch mechanism operable toconnect the measuring de vices with said mechanism, and means for varying the speed of the measuring devices relative to that ot the driving mechanism.

9. Mechanism t'or forming tire flaps from strip material vulcanized in convolute form comprising, reciprocable cutter devices, rotary measuring devices adapted to feed the strip to the cutter devices, means adapted to guide the strip through the measuring devices in an arcuate path substantially of the form in which the strip is vulcanized, drive mechanism for the measuring devices, and means for varying the ratio of speed of the measuring devices relative to that of said drive mechanism.

10. Mechanism for forming tire flaps from strip material vulcanized in convolute form comprising, reciprocable cutter devices adapted to simultaneously sever the strip and perforate the ends thereof, measuring devices for feeding the strip to the cutter devices, means adapted to guide the strip in an arcuate path substantially of the form in which the strip is vulcanized through the measuring devices, and means for driving said devices.

11. Mechanism for forming tire liaps from strip material comprising, driven cutter devices adapted to simultaneously sever the lstrip and perforate the severed ends thereof, rotary measuring devices for feeding the strip to the cutter devices, means adapted to guide the strip in an arcuate path through the measuring devices, drive mechanism common tol said devices, and means for varying the ratio of speed of one of the devices ,relative to 'that of said drive mechanism.

12. Mechanism for forming tire iiaps from strip material comprising, reciprocable cut ter devices, rotary measuring devices 'for :feeding the strip to the first devices, means for 'guiding the strip in an arcuate path through the second devices, driving mechanism common to said devices, and means for varying the ratio of speed of one of said devices relative to that of the drive mechanism.

13. Mechanism for forming tire flaps from strip material comprising, reciprocable cutter devices, rotary measuring devices for feeding the strip to the first devices, means for guiding the strip in an arcuate path through the second devices, drive mechanism common to said devices and normally disconnected therefrom, individual means for connecting either of said devices With said drive mechanism, and means for automatically disconnecting one of the devices fromsaid driving mechanisn'i.

14. Mechanism for forming tire 'flaps from strip material comprising, reciprocable cutterV devices, rotary measuring devices for feeding the strip to the firstI devices, means for guiding the strip in an arcuate path through the second devices, drive mechanism common to said devices normally disconnected therefrom, individual means 'for conneetingeither of said devices With said drive mechanism, individual means for automatically disconnecting either of saidI devices from said drive mechanism, and means for varying the ratio of speed lof* the measuring devices relative to that of the drive mechanism.

15. Mechanisn'i for forming tire tlaps from strip material comprising, driven critter devices, rotary measuring devices adapted to grip and feed the strip to the first devices, means for guiding the strip in an arcuate path through 'the measuring devices, means for adjustidy the measuring devices to com prevV the strip, and means for driving said deifices.

i6. Mechanism of the class described comprising, driven cutter devices, rotary nieasuring devices :u apted to grip and feed. the strip to said first devices, means for guiding the strip in an arcuate path through the measuring devices, means tor adjusting the measuring devices to compress the strip` drive mechanism for said devices, and means for varying the ratio of speed of the measuring devices relative to that of the drive mechanism.

17. Mechanism of the character described comprising, driven cutter devices, rotary measuring devices adapted to grip and feed the strip to the first devices, means for guidin the stri-p in an arcuate path through the measuring devices, means for adjusting the measuring devices to compress the strip, drive mechanism for said devices, and auto matical ly operating means for disconnecting the measuring devices from the drive mechanism.

15%. in mechanism for forming tire flaps from strip material, in combination, a reciprocable cross 'head embodying reversely arranged semi-circular cutter dies, a per- Vforating die disposed radially of each cutter d ie, rotary measuring' devices 'for feedingthe strip to said cross head, and driving means for said cross head and devices` 19. In mechanism for forming tire tiaps from strip material, in combination, a driven cutter device, a measuringdevice comprising rotary toothed rollers having respectively concave peripheries, means for adjusting the rollers relative to each other', and means for driving said devices.

20. ln mechanism for forming tire flaps from strip material, in combination, a reciprocable cutter device, a rotary shaft in advance of said device` a toothed roller upon said shaft` a second similar roller monntel'd beneath the first roller for adjustment with respect thereto, a second rotary shaft in advance of the first shaft, means for driving the second shaft, and interchangeable gears between said shafts for varying the ratio of speeds of one relative to the other.

2l. in mechanism of the character described, a measuring device comprising, cooperating toothed rollers adapted to feed a strip of material therebetween, a curvilinear guide for feeding the strip between the rollers in an arcuate path, a rotary shaft,

devices for automatically discngaging the clutch .ron'i the shaft When said roller has completed a certain c vcle of movement.

In a device of the character described, in combination, means for measuring a strip of material, means for feeding the strip to the measuring means compriing a rotary drum for containing a reel of the strip material, cooperating rollers for milling the material from the drum, a drive mechanism for one of the rollers, and devices for controlling the speed of the drive mechanism in accordance with the degree of slack in said strip.

24;. ln a device of the character described, in combination, means for measuring a strip of n'iaterial, and means'for feeding the strip comprising a rotary drum for containing a reel of the strip material, cooperating rollers for pulling the material from the drum, driving mechanism for one of the rollers, and devices for controlling the speed of the driving mechanism in accordance with the degree of slack in the strip said devices including a solenoid and a switch operated through engagement with said strip.

25. In a machine for feeding a strip of fabric and rubber to measure definite lengths thereof, a feeding Wheel, pressure devices acting on said Wheel, pins on said feedin Wheel adapted to prick into the mesh of the fabric, and means to adjust the pressure devices. n

2G. ln a machine for feeding a strip of fabric and rubber to measure definite lengths thereof, a pair of feeding wheels between which the material is fed said feeding Wheels being pro-vided with teeth adapted to enter the mesh of the material, and means to force the Wheels together with varying degrees of i'iressure depending on the character of the material.

27. In a machine for cutting foraminous .stock of the character set forth in measured lengths, the combination of a pair of oppositely disposed feeding drums one of said drums being provided with projecting teeth adapted. to enter the mesh of the material, and. variable means to force the teeth into the material, in combination with devices for causing a predetermined number of revolutions of the feeding drums.

28. ln a machine for cutting foraminous material of the character set forth in niieasured lengths, the combination of a pair of oppositely disposed feeding drums one of said drums being provided with projecting teeth adapted to enter the mesh of the material, means topress said drums together with varying degrees of pressure, rotating mechanism for said drums, and means to arrest the rotation of the drums at predetermined points, in combination with cutting devices for the fabric.

HORACE D. STEVENS. 

